ASEAN Archives - Page 12 of 36

Hospitality and Travel Job Roles Soars With 169% Surge In Hiring: foundit Insights Tracker

foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), one of the leading talent management platforms, today published the foundit Insights Tracker (fit) for October 2023, formerly published as Monster Employment Index (MEI). According to the Malaysian fit report, job roles in the Hospitality and Travel sector have impressively grown by 169% over the past year.

The tracker also reveals a promising year-on-year (YoY) growth of 16% e-recruitment, as the index climbed from 69 in Oct 2022 to 80 in Oct 2023. Additionally, a month-on-month (MoM) analysis also indicated an increase reflecting a positive job market. The rising index values reveal a thriving labour market that will benefitemployers and job seekers alike.

Commenting on Malaysia’s job trends for May 2023, Sekhar Garisa, CEO, foundit, said, “Our findings indicate a strong momentum and a promising future for Malaysia’s labour market. However, in this competitive landscape, companies are emphasising on individuals with sspecialised skills. Hence, job seekers must always be aware of the changing demands of the industry and equip themselves with the required skills. Upskilling and continuous learning will be the key to unlocking new opportunities and thriving in this dynamic landscape.”

Engineering, Construction, and Real Estate follow an upward trend in hiring activity, while the Oil and Gas, BFSI and IT/ Telecom & BPO Industries witness a drop in recruitment.

The Hospitality and Retail industries continue to lead the way among the industries, showing steady growth. The Hospitality industry saw a remarkable YoY growth of 111%, driven by Malaysia’s booming tourism industry, which draws an increasing number of domestic and foreign tourists. Similarly, the Retail industry at 108% marked noteworthy progress in e-recruitment owing to the huge retail sales. Being next in the rung, Engineering, Construction, and Real Estate industries also witnessed a YoY increase in October 2023 with a 42% rise in the hiring activity due to infrastructure developments, govt. policies, and rapid urbanisation plans of Malaysia.

The Oil and Gas industry, along with BFSI, IT, Telecom/ISP, and BPO/ITES, recorded a substantial deceleration in hiring activity, with a YoY decrease of 11%, 9% and 6%, respectively. This trend can be attributed to economic slowdowns, or uncertainties that lead to reduced investments and lower demand for services.

However, barring these industries, the overall hiring sentiment in Malaysia has been positive with Logistic, Courier/ Freight/ Transportation, Shipping/ Marine (+27%), Advertising, Market Research, Public Relations, Media and Entertainment (+17%) and Production/Manufacturing, Automotive and Ancillary (+12%) industries registered a substantial annual growth in October ’23. Overall, there has been an optimistic hiring in Oct ’23.

Hospitality, Retail & Real Estate Lead the Way in Hiring Trends

In terms of functional roles, Hospitality & Travel jobs continued to witness significant demand in Oct 2023, with a staggering YoY growth of 169% driven by international tourism. This economic recovery created an online demand for other job roles, such as Sales & Business Development (44%) and Marketing & Communications (12%) as well. A few of the other job roles that have showcased a robust YoY growth rate include Engineering/ Production, Real Estate (+10%), HR & Admin (+7%), Purchase/ Logistics/ Supply Chain (+6%) and Software, Hardware & Telecom (+5%)

The roles in Customer Service (-24%) were the sole function to exhibit a negative growth trend despite having a 19% increase over the last month. Several reasons can be attributed to this, including the advancements in technology that have led to the implementation of automated customer service systems such as chatbots and self-service portals. There have also been instances during challenging economic times where businesses need to prioritise cost-cutting measures, resulting in a decrease in hiring across various job roles, including customer service.

The foundit Insights Tracker is a comprehensive monthly analysis of online job posting activity conducted by foundit. Based on a real-time review of millions of employer job opportunities culled from a large, representative selection of online career outlets, the foundit Insights Tracker (FIT) presents a snapshot of employer online recruitment activity nationwide.

Period for the report

The period considered for the foundit Insights Tracker (fit) data is Oct 2022 Vs Oct 2023.

About foundit – APAC & Middle East

foundit, formerly Monster (APAC & ME), is a leading talent platform offering comprehensive employment solutions to recruiters and job seekers across APAC & ME. Since its inception, the company has assisted over 75 million registered users to find jobs, upskill, and connect with the right opportunities across 18 countries. Over the last two decades, the company has been a catalyst in the world of recruitment solutions with advanced technology, seeking to efficiently bridge the talent gap across industry verticals, experience levels, and geographies. Today, foundit is committed to enabling and connecting the right talent with the right opportunities by harnessing the power of deep tech to sharpen hyper-spersonalised job searches, and precision hiring. foundit strongly believes that a job title doesn’t define one’s potential and leverages technology to dig deeper to curate opportunities central to the needs and aspirations of each user.

To learn more, about foundit in APAC & Gulf,

Contact:
Namrata Sharma
Namrata.sharma@adfactorspr.com
+65-81383034

The 42nd Session of the UNESCO General Conference Generates Positive Results for Indonesia

The 42nd Session of the General Conference of UNESCO, held in UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on November 7-22, has generated positive results for Indonesia. During the election of Members of the Executive Board of UNESCO on November 15, Indonesia was voted by 154 out of 181 countries and elected as the board’s member for the 2023-2027 period.

Indonesian Ambassador to France, Andorra, and Monaco, Mohamad Oemar delivering his remarks on the The 42nd Session of the General Conference of UNESCO

Indonesia competed with eight other countries in the Asia-Pacific region for six allocated seats in electoral group IV for the UNESCO Executive Board. The eight countries are Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, South Korea and Sri Lanka, and the six elected included Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Korea, and Australia.

In his remarks, the Indonesian Ambassador to France, Andorra and Monaco, and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Mohamad Oemar, expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support from UNESCO member countries. “Indonesia is committed to being actively involved and collaborating with other member countries to ensure progress and sustainability in various fields that UNESCO focuses on,” he said.

Oemar underlined that UNESCO’s mission, dedicated to promoting global peace and the prosperity of humans, is recognized as a valuable milestone by Indonesia, which highly values the principles of pluralism, multilateralism, and international cooperation, which are the keys to success in responding to world challenges, including achieving sustainable development goals in all areas of competence mandated by UNSECO.

During the Intergovernmental Council of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) election on Thursday, November 16, Indonesia was also elected as a council member for 2023-2027, with Oemar noting that Indonesia’s election as a member is momentum for the country to take a strategic role in navigating the transformation of media and policies through UNESCO.

“Indonesia is committed to continuing to actively participate, holding dialogue, and collaborate with other member countries in responding to issues of media and technology development and the making of communication and media policies in UNESCO forums,” the ambassador remarked.

As the council’s member, Indonesia will take part in determining policy suggestions, monitoring and vision for freedom of expression, access to information, and digital transformation to ensure fundamental freedom is guaranteed, both online and offline, in line with international standards.

Lastly, the Indonesian language has also been designated as an official language of the UNESCO General Conference, based on adopting Resolution 42 C/28 during the Plenary Meeting of the 42nd Session of the UNESCO General Conference on Monday, November 20. Indonesian became the 10th official language, in addition to English, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, French, Spanish, Russian, Hindi, Italian, and Portuguese.

Oemar stated that the Indonesian language has more than 275 million speakers while delivering Indonesia’s proposal presentation, adding that the curriculum has entered 52 countries, with at least 150,000 foreign speakers currently. He emphasized that improving awareness of its language was part of Indonesia’s global effort to develop connectivity between nations and bolster cooperation with UNESCO. In addition, it is also part of Indonesia’s commitment to cultural development at the global level.

Reported by Lintang Budiyanti, Raka Adji
Edited by Anton Santoso, Copyright (c) ANTARA 2023

Partnering with Chevron and Mubadala Energy, Pertamina Geothermal Energy Aims to Explore Geothermal Opportunities in Kotamobagu

PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) (IDX: PGEO) announced its cooperation with Chevron New Energies International (Chevron) and Mubadala Energy to embark on a Joint Study Agreement (JSA) to explore the geothermal potential in Kotamobagu, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The JSA was signed during President Joko Widodo’s visit to the United States and witnessed by the Deputy Coordinating Ministry for Maritime & Investment Affairs, Jodi Mahardi , Ambassador of The Republic of Indonesia for United States of America, Rosan Roeslani, President Director & CEO PT Pertamina (Persero), Nicke Widyawati and Country Manager Chevron Indonesia, Wahyu Budiarto.

The JSA aims to capitalize on the companies’ complementary strengths and experience. It will bring together PGE’s experience and scale as the largest geothermal producing company and capacity holder in Indonesia, Chevron’s expansive capabilities as a multinational energy company committed to providing reliable and cleaner energy, and Mubadala Energy’s track record in delivering reliable and efficient energy to Indonesia and commitment to playing an active role in the energy transition as an international energy leader.

The agreement provides a comprehensive framework to conduct a joint study into developing the Kotamobagu Geothermal Working Area (WKP). The agreement is aligned with the Government of Indonesia’s recent announcements targeting the addition of 3.3 gigawatts (GW) of installed geothermal capacity by 2030. Geothermal electricity produced in Kotamobagu may provide clean energy source to feed the domestic market in Indonesia and potentially an input to produce low carbon hydrogen or ammonia.

President Director of PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk, Julfi Hadi enthusiastically welcomed the JSA cooperation between PGE, Chevron, and Mubadala Energy, “Our Joint Study Agreement this time aims to utilize the complementary strengths of the three parties in developing geothermal in Kotamobagu,” he said.

Wahyu Budiarto, Chevron Indonesia Country Manager said, “This is Chevron’s fifth collaboration with Pertamina and we are excited about the addition of Mubadala Energy in the Kotamobagu WKP. We look forward to bringing into the partnership, Chevron’s technical expertise and new geothermal technologies to explore renewable energy resources to support Indonesia’s energy transition goals.”Mansoor Mohamed Al Hamed, Chief Executive Officer of Mubadala Energy, commented; “With our track record of delivering strategic energy resources in Indonesia for over a decade, we are excited about this partnership with PGE and Chevron to explore the expansion of geothermal energy, an important segment of Indonesia’s clean energy growth ambitions. The opportunity to explore such projects is embedded in Mubadala Energy’s commitment to playing an active role in the energy transition as we continue to support Indonesia’s Net Zero targets.”

WKP Kotamobagu was assigned to PGE Kotamobagu as a subsidiary of PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk. based on the Decree of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources 14.K/EK.01/MEM.E/2022 where WKP Kotamobagu is an area that has a high enthalpy value with a volcanic hydrothermal system located in North Sulawesi Province with an area of 18,530 Ha.

About PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk.
PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk. (PGE) (IDX: PGEO) is part of the Power & New Renewable Energy (PNRE) Subholding of PT Pertamina (Persero) which is engaged in geothermal exploration, exploitation and production. PGE currently manages 13 Geothermal Working Areas (WKP) and 1 Assigned Working Area with an installed capacity of 1,877 MW, of which 672 MW is operated and managed directly by PGE and 1,205 MW is managed under a Joint Operation Contract scheme. The installed geothermal capacity in PGE’s working areas contributes around 80% of the total installed geothermal capacity in Indonesia, with the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by around 9.7 million tons of CO2 per year.

As a world class green energy company, PGE aims to create value by maximizing end-to-end management of geothermal potential and derivative products and participating in the national and global decarbonization agenda to support Indonesia net zero emission 2060. PGE has excellent ESG credentials with 13 Gold PROPER awards from 2011 to 2022 in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry’s highest environmental compliance award for ESG Rating & Engagement.

About Chevron
Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. We believe that affordable, reliable and cleaner energy is essential to achieving a more prosperous and sustainable world. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance our business and industry. We focus on reducing the carbon intensity of our operations and growing low-carbon businesses alongside our traditional business lines. For more information, please visit www.chevron.com .

About Mubadala Energy
Mubadala Energy is an international energy company, headquartered in Abu Dhabi. With a diversified portfolio of operated and non-operated assets spanning 11 countries, its primary geographic focus is in the Middle East and North Africa, Russia and Southeast Asia.

Mubadala Energy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company, which is owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi. The company’s portfolio is around 66 per cent gas, with a working interest production in 2022 of approximately 500,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

In line with Mubadala Energy’s commitment to play an active role in the energy transition, the company is expanding across the gas value chain and actively pursuing opportunities in new energy sectors. For more information, please visit www.mubadalaenergy.com

For more information, contact:
PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk
Muhammad Taufik
Manager Corporate Communication & Stakeholder Management
PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk
muhammad.t@pertamina.com

Chevron
Mr. Cam Van Ast
External Affairs Advisor
Chevron Asia Pacific
cameron.vanast@chevron.com

Ms. Ferita Damayanti
Corporate Affairs Manager
Chevron Indonesia Business Unit
Ferita@chevron.com

Mubadala Energy
Mr. Paul Slinger,
Vice President of Communications
paul.slinger@mubadalaenergy.com

ASEAN Disability Forum 2023 produces Makassar Recommendations for Persons with Disabilities

The ASEAN Disability Forum has produced the “Makassar Recommendations” to strengthen commitment to empowering persons, realizing inclusivity, and elevating the dignity of persons with disabilities. These Recommendations waere produced at the ASEAN High Level Forum on Disability Inclusive Development and Partnership beyond 2025 in Makassar on 10-12 October 2023.

The Recommendations were submitted after the participating ASEAN member countries led by Indonesia formulated a draft recommendation. The forum attended by around 200 participants, was one of a series of ASEAN Summits under the chairmanship of Indonesia. Apart from ASEAN member countries, there were also participants from the United States, England, Australia, as well as from the ASEAN Secretariat, various organizations for persons with disabilities, the ASEAN Disability Forum and various other partners.

The participants jointly formulated innovative strategies to realize socio-regional inclusiveness, empower persons with disabilities, and strengthen partnerships. The Forum hopes that ASEAN will become the epicentrum of sustainable growth of inclusiveness.

Following two days of deliberations, 10 recommendations were finally produced and named the “Makassar Recommendations”. These recommendations were read out by Commissioner of the National Commission on Disabilities (KND) Eka Pratama before the closing of the forum on Wednesday, 11 October 2023.

The Makassar Recommendations (10):

First, accelerating the implementation of the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025 by mainstreaming the rights of persons with disabilities in ASEAN cooperation.

Second, further support the review and report on the implementation of the ASEAN Enabling Masterpan 2025 by including the participation of persons with disabilities.

Third, ensuring disability inclusive development as a fundamental part of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Fourth, encouraging ASEAN Dialogue Partners to mainstream empowerment and rights of persons with disabilities through collaboration with ASEAN, including in providing disability inclusive infrastructure.

Fifth, provide more innovative social welfare and development policies to empower and protect the rights of persons with disabilities.

Sixth, increase joint efforts to ensure equal participation and access for persons with disabilities in public services and eliminate barriers to stigma and discrimination such as education, health, employment.

Seventh, strengthen efforts to provide better and more inclusive disability data.

Eighth, strengthening access to supporting technology based on appropriate needs to increase access to inclusive education, health interventions, employment, and entrepreneurship.

Ninth, strengthens public understanding and awareness regarding persons with disabilities and their rights, as well as countering negative perceptions, and encouraging mutual respect and understanding.

Tenth, encourages the business sector to commit to promoting and implementing disability-inclusive business models and value chains, as well as supporting better access for persons with disabilities to employment, including as entrepreneurs.

Besides conveying 10 recommendations, participants from ASEAN countries also expressed their appreciation to Indonesian government, especially Ministry of Social Affairs for conducting ASEAN High Level Forum.

Disability Inclusive

In her closing speech, Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini said that disability inclusion is an approach, a perspective that needs to become mainstream in all sectors, including education, health, employment, political-security, trade and investment.

“Disability inclusive development requires collaboration and not working separately. The government, private sector and organizations of persons with disabilities must synergize and work together,” said the Minister.

The Minister also emphasized the need to strengthen the availability of disability data, so that appropriate policies and interventions can be made. Minister of Social Affairs also emphasized that entrepreneurship and advancing technology and innovation are real efforts to empower persons with disabilities and increase their independence.

No less important, the Minister emphasized, “All parties must work together to increase public awareness so that people do not see disability as a handicap. Society will see that persons with disabilities can also contribute and play an important role in society.”

Tendi Gunawan of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Jakarta said that currently there is still employment discrimination against persons with disabilities. However, if given the opportunity, persons with disabilities also have the same abilities.

Angkie Yudistia, Special Staff to the President of the Republic of Indonesia, said that all persons with disabilities can live independently. “It remains for all parties to work together to provide opportunities and trust for persons with disabilities to work,” she said.

Source: Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia

Indonesia calls for AIS Forum collaboration to face global challenges

Indonesia, as host of the 1st High-Level Meeting of the Archipelagic & Island States (AIS) Forum, has called for the collaboration of AIS Forum participating countries to respond to various global challenges.

President Joko Widodo speaks during a press conference following the 1st High-Level Meeting of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali, on October 11, 2023. (ANTARA FOTO/Media Center KTT AIS Forum 2023/Akbar Nugroho Gumay/Spt)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), while opening the high-level meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Wednesday, highlighted that all archipelagic and island countries, whether large or small, developed or developing, are facing challenges, such as rising sea levels, marine resource management, and marine pollution.

“If we throw rubbish on land, it does not necessarily mean that the rubbish will move to land in another part of the world. However, if we throw rubbish into the ocean, the rubbish can reach any land in the world,” he said.

The president deemed collaboration and solidarity between archipelagic and island countries crucial to creating strategic, concrete, and tactical measures for tackling shared problems. The high-level meeting is deemed an important opportunity to set the direction of collaboration going forward.

In this regard, he encouraged three aspects to be advanced: solidarity, equality, and inclusivity as principles that must be held together; priority on concrete cooperation that is adjusted to the needs of beneficiary countries; and third, robust and dynamic cooperation framework to respond to challenges going forward.

“Indonesia would like to invite all countries that are present; let us continue to choose to continue to build unity and continue to build collaboration even amid a divided world condition. Let us walk and work together,” Jokowi stated.

On that occasion, President Jokowi noted that Indonesia has also continued to echo the interests of archipelagic and developing countries at various international forums, such as in the 2022 G20 Summit, the 2023 ASEAN Summit, and the 2023 AIS Forum high-level meeting. “Indonesia is also committed to preparing grant funds to be used for the interests of archipelagic countries and developing countries,” he said.

At a press conference held after the meeting, President Jokowi highlighted that developing and archipelagic countries have the same right to advance and carry out development. He also affirmed that Indonesia, as a maritime nation, would continue to be at the forefront of supporting the AIS Forum as an inclusive cooperation of archipelagic and island countri For Indonesia, the sea is not a divider; but instead, the sea is a uniter,” he remarked.

Indonesia is hosting the 1st High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum, which is attended by 32 countries out of 51 AIS countries and four international organizations. The high-level meeting raises the themes of the Blue Economy; Our Ocean, Our Future; and Solidarity.

At the head-of-state level, Indonesia noted the participation of President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley Simina, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmao, the Premier of Niue Dalton Tagelagi, Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe Patrice Emery Trovoada, and Prime Minister of Tuvalu Kausea Natano. Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji Manoa Seru Nakausabaria Kamikamica and Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga Samiu Kuita Vaipulu were also in attendance at the meeting.

Meanwhile, delegations of other countries are led by ministers, deputy ministers, high-ranking officials, and ambassadors during the high-level meetings.

Source: Antara News Agency, https://www.aisforum.org/

ASEAN High-Level Forum 2023: Disability Inclusive Development and Partnership beyond 2025

Protection and fulfilment of the rights of persons with disabilities in ASEAN are carried out comprehensively, including education, health, employment opportunities, and social protection. This comprehensive treatment is needed so that persons with disabilities can be independent and, at the same time, increase their dignity.

This is one of the main issues that emerged in the ASEAN High-Level Forum on Disability Inclusive Development and Partnership beyond 2025. This international event, taking place in Makassar from 10-12 October 2023, is attended by 13 representatives of countries from ASEAN, observers, and representatives of other countries.

The participants in this forum consist of Ministers and ASEAN Senior Officials who are responsible for social welfare and development in related sectoral bodies, ASEAN affiliated entities and partners. AHLF 2023 is one of a series of ASEAN Summits under the chairmanship of Indonesia.

A number of speakers appeared on the first day of AHLF who focused on identifying challenges in ASEAN to strengthen disability inclusive development. Various issues and lessons learned from the impact of the pandemic on the lives of persons with disabilities are also discussed.

In her opening remarks, Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini said that disability is not only an issue in ASEAN, but also a global issue because the number of persons with disabilities is quite large. In ASEAN, there are around 62 million persons with disabilities.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, there are around 22.9 million. For this reason, AHLF invited participants from the United States, England and Australia to see how ASEAN countries have tried to handle disabilities well while discussing and exchanging experiences.

“We hope that through this AHLF, the handling of disabilities in ASEAN can be even better in the future,” said the Social Affairs Minister in front of the media after the opening session in Makassar on Tuesday (10/10).

Present at the meeting, Chairman of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives, Ashabul Kahfi said that his party appreciated the steps of the Ministry of Social Affairs in organizing AHLF. In Law Number 8 of 2016 on Persons with Disabilities, the government is encouraged to collaborate with many parties to provide better services for persons with disabilities.

This service is very important so that persons with disabilities can be independent and at the same time raise the value and dignity of persons with disabilities. “The Ministry of Social Affairs, so far, has paid close attention to the rights of persons with disabilities. “Of the budget of around IDR 80 trillion, part of it is used to empower persons with disabilities,” she said.

Fulfilling disability rights is an effort to realize Indonesia’s human development design where no one is left behind, including those with disabilities. The Deputy conveyed this statement to the Coordination of Social Welfare Improvement, Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Prof. Nunung Nuryartono.

According to him, the Ministry of Social Affairs has designed many programs so that persons with disabilities can get out of extreme poverty. “The President has declared that there will be no more extreme poverty in 2024. “That is our common target,” said Nunung.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Association of Persons with Disabilities, Norman Yulian, on the same occasion, appreciated the seriousness of the government, especially the Ministry of Social Affairs, in realizing an inclusive and disability-friendly Indonesia.

The government has also tried in various ways to create an inclusive Indonesia, including for persons with disabilities, both in the education and employment sectors. “We hope that through AHLF we can design a master plan for handling disabilities for the ASEAN region,” said Norman.

Regarding the event in Makassar, the Minister of Social Affairs said that the presence of participants from various countries was also used to promote Indonesia’s unique and very diverse tourism.

Tourism destinations in South Sulawesi are unique because they relate to human civilization. “This tourism potential is rare and extraordinary, so it should be promoted worldwide,” said Minister Risma.

It is not easy to optimize tourism destinations for persons with disabilities because the government must prepare the infrastructure. However, this can be done by Indonesia. The tourism destinations that the AHLF delegation will visit are very friendly to persons with disabilities.

“From design to construction, everything is done by persons with disabilities so that it suits their needs. “This step is also to show that they are actually capable if given the opportunity,” Minister Risma said.

Social Ministry of the Republic of Indonesia

AIS (Archipelagic & Island States) Forum 2023 highlights Blue Economy to mitigate climate change

The Archipelagic & Island States (AIS) Forum, being held October 9-11 at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, Bali, has expressed its strong commitment to preserving the marine ecosystems in the effort to mitigate the impact of climate change that threaten its participating countries.

The 1st High Level Meeting (HLM) of the AIS Forum 2023 is taking place at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center and draws participation from 29 countries and four international organizations. Heads of state/government of several countries are participating, including Micronesia, Niue, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, and Tuvalu.

The HLM will have four themes: adaptation and mitigation against climate change, promoting a sustainable blue economy, handling plastic waste in the oceans, and strengthening sustainable maritime governance. The Effects of climate change, including rising global temperatures with rising sea levels, have been threatening the very existence of small low-altitude island states, particularly those in the Pacific Ocean.

“Climate change is real. Climate change is a common enemy for island countries,” Alexander Muhammad Khan, Indonesian representative to the AIS Research and Development (RnD) Conference. The AIS RnD Conference serves as one of four side events to the 1st High Level Meeting (HLM) of the AIS Forum.

In the RnD Conference, the AIS Forum seeks to bring together oceanographers, marine biologists, scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, and visionaries across the globe to present their breakthroughs and jointly find solutions to preserve oceans, a complex ecosystem regulating the planet’s climate.

The Conference delves into a number of themes, including the ‘Blue Economy’, which the World Bank has described as an eco-friendly utilization of marine resources that aims to stimulate economic growth and improve welfare while preserving oceans, which constitute the planet’s important carbon sink that can help mitigate climate change impacts.

Since its formation in 2018, the AIS Forum has made efforts to realize the Blue Economy, including the Blue Financing Strategic Framework, which will be highlighted in the discussion on the blue economy during the HLM. The framework document constitutes a tool that can guide businesses to invest in blue economic activities taking into account the social, economic, and environmental impacts

AIS Forum further highlights the importance of the Blue Economy by holding the AIS Blue Economy High-Level Dialogue on October 9, another side event for the 2023 HLM. This Dialogue is aimed at the world’s political leaders, experts, and major business actors, to find solutions to ensure that all archipelagic and island states, including the least-developed ones, have the same opportunity to tap into the vast potential of the blue economy.

Another side event is the AIS Startup Blue Business Summit. Head of the AIS Forum Secretariat Riny Modaso says the event serves as a medium for Blue Economy entrepreneurs, or bluepreneurs, to connect with marine stakeholders, innovators, researchers, and potential investors. “By investing in innovative solutions, AIS participating states can protect their vulnerable ecosystems, suppress the effects of climate change, and create a sustainable future for their communities,” she said on Sunday (October 8).

The AIS Forum also considers youths’ ideas and aspirations in the efforts to protect the oceans. The AIS Youth Conference was held from October 6-8, drawing participation from 26 young delegates from 26 AIS Forum participating states. Deputy for Maritime and Energy Sovereignty Coordination at the Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Investment Coordinating Ministry, Jodi Mahardi emphasized that young people’s ideas could help archipelagic and island states deal with challenges.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated the 1st HLM, which carries the theme of “Fostering Collaboration, Enabling Innovation for Our Ocean and Our Future.” Other state delegations are being led by deputy prime ministers, ministers, deputy ministers, and ambassadors.

Indonesia is hosting the 1st HLM, as an initiator of the AIS Forum which was formed on the basis of the Manado Declaration on November 1, 2018, during an AIS Ministerial Meeting.

Source: Antara News Agency, https://www.aisforum.org/

foundit Insights Tracker: Malaysia and Philippines Thrive with 63% and 45% Retail Growth, Singapore Steadies Ahead

foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), a leading talent platform, has unveiled the foundit Insights Tracker (fit) report for August 2023, offering comprehensive insights into hiring trends across Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. This in-depth analysis sheds light on the evolving employment landscapes in these dynamic Asian economies.

The tracker reveals several intriguing trends in the comparative analysis of job markets in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. Malaysia demonstrates a relatively consistent job demand over the past three months, signifying a stable market. Job opportunities in Malaysia have shown a positive resurgence with 1% month-over-month (MoM) growth and a robust 7% year-over-year (YoY) growth across various industries. In contrast, Singapore faces challenges with a -1% MoM and a significant -14% YoY decline in hiring demand. This adjustment aligns with a moderated economic growth curve, signalling signs of vulnerability in the job market and a reduced pace of hiring. The Tracker data also reveals a 4% decrease in job demand over the last three months. Similarly, the Philippines has witnessed volatility in its job market, with a 5% decrease in job demand over the same three-month period and negative 9% YoY trends. Despite this decline, the MoM uptick by 3% suggests a reviving job market, hinting at the potential for recovery in the near future.

Commenting on these findings, Sekhar Garisa, CEO of foundit, said, “Skill enhancement is crucial to navigating the ever-changing job market in this digital age successfully, and it is imperative that we remain flexible and well-prepared to embrace these changes. Malaysia is currently experiencing a favourable hiring environment, but there is an increasing demand for new skills across various sectors. On the other hand, Singapore has a moderated economic outlook, which provides a valuable opportunity for job seekers to enhance their skills and plan for the futureproactively. Meanwhile, the Philippines exhibits a recovering job market, underscoring the continuous need for learning and growth in alignment with changing hiring trends. Across these three diverse markets, the constant remains re-skilling and upskilling. The common thread connects job seekers and employers on their journey to success and progress in this rapidly evolving landscape.”

Malaysia demonstrated resilience with consistent job demand and notable growth in various sectors.

Malaysia experienced an extraordinary YoY growth of 88% in the hospitality sector. This growth can be attributed to strategic government initiatives, including substantial investments in overseas promotions and digital content on international television channels. In contrast, Singapore and the Philippines reported more modest figures of 8% and 0%, respectively.

The Retail sector witnessed remarkable growth in Malaysia (63%) and the Philippines (45%), with the latter also experiencing a robust double-digit month-on-month increase. Luxury e-commerce and the expansion of retail outlets contributed to this surge. In Singapore, the retail sector reported a -2% decline for August 2023. However, an optimistic outlook prevails for the upcoming quarter in Singapore’s retail industry.

The Logistics sector saw increased demand in Malaysia (25%) due to significant e-commerce growth. Conversely, Singapore (-4%) and the Philippines (-35%) faced challenges in this sector.

In the technology domain, notable declines were observed in IT, Telecom/ISP, and BPO/ITES in all three regions. The unpredictable global landscape impacted these sectors, with the Philippines showcasing a unique pattern of IT, Telecom (-22%) and BPO/ITES (0%).

Tech Sector Thrives: Malaysia’s 3% YoY Growth in Software, Hardware, and Telecom Roles

In Malaysia, the tech sector demonstrates commendable resilience, with Software, Hardware, and Telecom roles experiencing a 3% YoY growth. This growth reflects the ongoing digitisation efforts across industries, demanding professionals with technology expertise to drive innovation and efficiency. Sales & Business Development roles also recorded an impressive 34% YoY growth, signifying a proactive approach by businesses to expand their market presence and seize emerging opportunities.

Conversely, Malaysia’s Customer Service sector faced significant challenges, witnessing a substantial -44% YoY decline due to evolving dynamics and automation’s increasing role. In contrast, the Philippines experiences growth in the Customer Service domain, recording a 6% YoY trend, in line with its position as a hub for customer service outsourcing activities within the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector. Singapore and the Philippines share a -18% and -23% YoY contraction in Marketing & Communications roles, possibly reflecting adjustments in marketing strategies amidst evolving market dynamics.

Regarding hospitality and travel roles, Malaysia sees a remarkable surge of 133% YoY growth. In contrast, Singapore and the Philippines report more conservative figures of 8% and 0% YoY growth for the same roles, respectively. Purchase/ Logistics/ Supply Chain professionals face diverse challenges, with Malaysia showing a slight 2% YoY increase, while Singapore (-9%) and the Philippines (-24%) report declines.

About foundit Insights Tracker

The foundit Insights Tracker (fit) offers a detailed perspective on hiring patterns in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, focusing on the demand for specific skills, available positions, and salary ranges in the market. This analysis provides essential insights for job seekers and employers navigating the evolving employment landscape.

Period for the Report

The period considered for the foundit Insights Tracker (fit) data is August 2022 vs. August 2023, offering a comprehensive view of hiring trends in these key Asian markets.

About foundit – APAC & Middle East

foundit, formerly Monster (APAC & ME), is a leading talent platform offering comprehensive employment solutions to recruiters and job seekers across APAC & ME. Since its inception, the company has assisted over 75 million registered users in finding jobs, upskilling, and connecting with the right opportunities across 18 countries. Over the last two decades, the company has been a catalyst in recruitment solutions with advanced technology, seeking to efficiently bridge the talent gap across industry verticals, experience levels, and geographies. Today, foundit is committed to enabling and connecting the right talent with the right opportunities by harnessing the power of deep tech to sharpen hyper-personalized job searches and precision hiring. foundit strongly believes that a job title does notdefine one’s potential and leverages technology to dig deeper to curate opportunities central to the needs and aspirations of each user.

Contact:
Namrata Sharma
Namrata.sharma@adfactorspr.com
+6581383034

Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) Partners Energy Trader BGN, Expanding Global Fleet of LPG Carriers

PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) has once again engaged international partners to expand its presence in the global market and explore additional business opportunities in support of energy supply and security.

The signing took place at ADIPEC (Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference) 2023, the world’s largest energy exhibition and conference.

PIS has signed an agreement with BGN, a leader in global energy, in which the two companies outlined prospective collaborations that span joint ownership of Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) vessels, LPG cargo transportation, vessel leasing, amongst others, establishing the foundation for an enduring partnership. The first two vessels may be delivered as early as the first quarter of 2024.

With a current fleet size of 97 vessels, this deal further strengthens PIS’s position as a key player in the maritime industry. It also reinforces BGN’s position as an emerging maritime asset owner, with a growing number of LPG carriers in its fleet to facilitate the company’s trading operations.

BGN, present in 23 countries including offices in Dubai, Geneva, Houston, Rotterdam and Singapore, is a significant LPG trader and is a supplier to Indonesia.

The signing took place at ADIPEC (Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference) 2023, the world’s largest energy exhibition and conference, where this year’s theme is “Decarbonising. Faster. Together.” It was hosted at the Indonesian Pavilion led by SKK Migas (Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities).

The collaborative agreement was signed by PIS CEO Yoki Firnandi, and BGN CEO Ruya Bayegan, and witnessed by the Head of SKK Migas Dwi Soetjipto, Independent Commissioner of PT Pertamina (Persero) Iggi H. Achsien, Technical Advisor at Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Nanang Untung, Special Advisor to Minister for Acceleration of Infrastructure Development and Investment at Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Triharyo Susilo, Vice President SKK Migas Erwin Suryadi, and other distinguished guests, along with BGN’s head of shipping Ozan Turgut and other senior executives.

“The collaboration on VLGC and LPG cargo businesses with BGN is a tangible expression of PIS’s commitment to expand LPG commodity businesses and increase PIS’s share in its non-captive market, to strengthen national energy security,” stated Yoki.

BGN CEO Ruya Bayegan added “BGN excels at strong business partnerships and we are pleased to move forward with this new arrangement with Pertamina International Shipping (PIS). BGN’s collaboration with PIS will further enhance our maritime fleet to facilitate our growing energy trading business, cementing our position as a significant LPG trader, as well as supporting the Indonesian energy system.”

PIS and BGN have also been contributing to the vibrancy of ADIPEC 2023, which gathers together the global players in the oil and gas industry and supports the key themes of the forthcoming COP28 climate summit that will also take place in the UAE. This year’s ADIPEC has attracted participation from over 2,200 companies representing 30 countries worldwide, with a total of more than 15,000 delegates and 160,000 attendees.

About Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) Pte Ltd
As an Integrated Marine Logistics Subholding, PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) supports Indonesia’s economic growth through safe and sustainable operations, becoming a trusted and reliable maritime partner. Besides a total of 750 owned ships, PIS manages time and spot charters that can be leased through e-chartering. See https://pertamina-pis.com

About BGN International
As a leading energy companies, BGN efficiently conducts trading, storage, and transportation of petroleum products, petrochemicals, and commodities worldwide. Our integrated business model ranges from oil and gas trading and distribution to financing energy projects. Thanks to our established relationships with refineries, producers, state oil companies and international traders, we are present throughout the energy value chain. We also invest in infrastructure development to enhance our trading activities. Visit https://bgn-int.com.

Media Contact
Suh. Aryomekka Firdaus
Corporate Secretary, PI
M: +62 (0) 811 872 2722
E: aryomekka@pertamina.com

Giles Broom
Global Head of Communications, BGN
M: +41 (0) 79 468 6499
E: mediabgn@bgn-int.com

HUB.ID Summit returns, targeting investment in Digital Startups

HUB.ID Summit, the annual keynote in the HUB.ID program for Indonesian start-ups, was held in Nusa Dua, Bali on September 15-16, bringing 80 digital startups and 80 global venture capitals together for investing in early-stage digital startups. HUB.ID is a government sponsored (Kominfo) program which focuses on startups in Fintech, Agritech and Fisheries, Healthtech, SME Enabler and Logistics, as well as ESG-Related sectors.

This year’s Summit adopted the theme “Recalibrating the Industry: Indonesia’s Tech Investment Moving Forward,” aiming to analyze changes in market behavior post-pandemic and the tech winter, which have affected the focus of digital startups on product development and venture capital investments. These changes are recalibrating market strategies for growth in Indonesia’s digital startup ecosystem.

Over two days, the early-stage digital startups and venture capitals participated in various events, including panel discussions featuring renowned speakers and business matchmaking sessions, expected to foster collaborations and investments after the Summit concludes.

On the first day, the panel discussion featured Christopher Madiam (CEO & Co-founder of Sociolla), Hero Choudhary (Managing Partner of Beenext), Yoshua Tanu (Jago Coffee Founder), and was moderated by Willis Wee (CEO & Co-founder of Tech in Asia). The session discussed strategies for startups to generate profits during the tech winter.

On the second day, the panel discussion included Eddy Danusaputro (Chairman of AMVESINDO), Ankur Vohra (Vice President L Catterton Asia), moderated by Donald Wihardja (Nexticorn Board). Additionally, Kevin Sugiarto (Senior Vice President Product Privy), ArdhantiNurwidya (Head Public Policy and Government Relation GOTO), Doddi Priyambodo (Solutions Consultant at Google/Cloudmile) and Edy Sulistyo (CEO Everywhere.id), and was moderated by Anugrah Pratama (Partner at EY-Parthenon Indonesia).

In his opening speech, I Nyoman Adiarna (Director of Digital Economy, Directorate General of Informatics Application, Ministry of Communication and Informatics) stated, “The technology startup landscape in Indonesia has seen rapid and exciting developments in recent years. Indonesia now boasts hundreds of startups across various sectors, including e-commerce, fintech, edtech, healthtech, and agritech, among others. The ministry continues to support startups to grow and access funding, including through events like HUB.ID Summit.”

It is estimated that more than 500 people attended the HUB.ID Summit 2023 event, which included the panel discussions, 1-on-1 business matchmaking, and a Networking Gala Dinner. Investors in attendance hailed not only from Indonesia but also from other countries such as Japan, Singapore, South Korea, India, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and more. Over 1.500 business meetings were scheduled during the 2-day event, demonstrating a positive trend in investment potential for digital startups in Indonesia.

This year, HUB.ID Summit collaborated with the Nexticorn Foundation to facilitate more business meetings between startups and venture capital firms. HUB.ID Summit x Nexticorn 2023 is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Communication and Informatics and the Nexticorn Foundation to support the digital startup ecosystem, foster partnerships, and networks between early-stage, growth-stage, and later-stage startups with global venture capitals.

About HUB.ID

HUB.ID is a program for startups initiated by the Directorate General of Informatics Application, Kominfo (Ministry of Communication and Informatics). It focuses on enabling post-seed Indonesian startups to scale regionally leveraging Kominfo’s network of corporate & governmental partners, and consists of short accelerators and business matching sessions based on vertical focus. Post program, startups can still enjoy the platform by extending membership status.For more information, visit: https://hub.id, or email: asksummit@hub.id.